Written By komlim puldel on Minggu, 14 Juli 2013 | 23.08

MICHAEL Clarke has become the latest player involved in a catching controversy as Australia collapsed in the first Test against England at Trent Bridge.

The Australian captain stood his ground after a low catch from wicket-keeper Matt Prior off Stuart Broad prompted riotous celebrations from the England players.

There was a long delay, first as umpire Aleem Dar checked with colleague Kumar Dharmasena if Prior had taken the catch cleanly.

Dar then gave Clarke out and he immediately called for a review, prompting another delay before video umpire Marais Erasmus confirmed Dar's decision.

FIRST TEST, DAY FOUR

AGAR EARNS A PROMOTION

FOLLOW IN AGAR's FOOTSTEPS

Clarke's departure for 23 was immediately followed by Steve Smith (17) and Phil Hughes (0), both leg before wicket to Graeme Swann, as England ripped the heart out of Australia's batting line-up.

Australia lost 3-3 in 18 balls, staggering to stumps at 6-174, still 137 runs short of a record-breaking victory.

England set Australia 311 to win thanks to Ian Bell's most important century. It was a formidable target, with no team chasing more for victory at the ground than the 284 England made against New Zealand in 2004.

It was ironic the catch was off Broad given that Clarke had caught Broad at slip a day earlier but Dar gave him not out after a thick edge flew from Brad Haddin's gloves to the skipper.

A caught behind chance off Michael Clarke is first called for a review by the umpire, and then by the batsman himself, before eventually being given out.

Joe Root may have ended Ed Cowan's Test career after dismissing the left-hander cheaply. Cowan was out on the stroke of tea for just 14 after a first ball duck.

Batting in his new position at number three, both dismissals were to loose drives. Cowan has just one century in 18 Tests and his average has fallen to 31.

Resurrected opening batsman Chris Rogers played well for 52 before chipping a catch to mid-wicket off Jimmy Anderson.

Earlier Shane Watson failed to capitalise on another good start, leg before wicket to Broad for 46.

Watson has made just two centuries in 42 Tests. On day four he played across the first ball after drinks in the middle session and immediately reviewed the decision.

Stuart Clark reviews the Day Four action from the First Test at Trent Bidge.

The review showed the ball was just clipping leg stump. It was the fourth umpires call for close leg before wicket decisions that had gone against Australia in the Test.

Resuming at 6-326, 261 in front, England extended the lead to 291 before Broad, the villain of day three, was caught behind for 65 pushing at James Pattinson once too often.

If Steve Harmison set the tone for 2006-07 with his famously wayward opening ball that flew to Andrew Flintoff at second slip then Mitchell Starc appeared to set the tone with his first ball on day four.

A shoulder high full toss wide of Bell almost skittled Clarke at slip on the way to the boundary for five no balls.

Two deliveries later a lower full toss was guided by Bell between slip and gully to the boundary and he moved to 99 with Australia recklessly conceding runs.

More wasteful runs came three deliveries into the second over when Broad edged a ball from Pattinson between Clarke at second slip and Watson at first.

It was catchable height but sailed unimpeded to the boundary as the fieldsmen looked at each other, giving Broad his 10th Test half-century.

In the following over Bell pushed a ball from Starc to point and a diving Ashton Agar could not gather it cleanly, offering the single that brought up three figures.

It gave Bell his 18th Test century but none have been more significant. He came to the wicket with England just 66 ahead and guided his side into a strong position at the start of an Ashes series.

Bell was caught behind for 109 after spending almost six and a half hours at the crease batting Australia out of the match.

Brad Haddin (L) and Ashton Agar of Australia walk off at the end of play during day four of the Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Trent Bridge.

The tail fell quickly, with Swann (9) edging a ball from Peter Siddle into the slips.

This time Clarke and Watson both went for the catch, with Clarke taking the ball in front of his former vice-captain.

Anderson bunted a simple catch to Phil Hughes at short mid-wicket, giving Siddle three wickets for the innings and eight for the match.

A cow has fallen through a man's roof and killed him as he lay in bed. Picture: Zoe PhillipsSource: News Limited

A MAN has been killed in bed after a cow fell through his roof, with his mum lamenting that she "didn't bring my son up to be killed by a falling cow."

Brazilian man Joao Maria de Souza, 45, and his wife, Leni, were in bed when the 1.5-tonne cow fell 2.5 metres through the roof, which backed on to a steep hill.

Mr de Souza's mother said it was an unfair way to go after her son survived meningitis when he was two.

"Now he's lying in his bed and gets crushed to death by a cow. There's no justice in the world," she said.

Both his wife and the cow were unharmed.

Meanwhile, NBA star Baron Davis claims he was abducted by aliens two weeks ago when he was driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

"Driving, driving and the next thing you know there's a steel thing and these crazy looking people – half human, half ugly-looking mother f*****s," the New York Knicks player said.

Besides poking his nose, Davis said they were relatively harmless. However he was so shaken up by the incident he had to go to a nearby burger joint and eat two burgers to calm his nerves.

Baron Davis of the New York Knicks says he was abducted by aliens. Picture: GettySource: Getty Images

In more serious news, eighteen people are dead after a truck ran into a passenger bus near Moscow, at least 69 people have been killed by wild storms in China that have left about 100 tourists stranded, an extra 400 police have been deployed to Belfast after a night of rioting, a Brazilian bus crash has killed 10 churchgoers on their way to open a new temple, investigators have started assessing how a fire broke out on a stationary Dreamliner jet at Heathrow Airport and rail officials say a mechanical error may be to blame for a train derailment that left six people dead near Paris.

At least 17 dead, more than 20 injured in bus crash in near Moscow. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

Elsewhere, Russia says it is still waiting for Edward Snowden to submit his revised asylum request, a Turkish judge has allowed a Kurdish family to name their child Kurdistan despite the word being outlawed in the country, India's Sonia Gandhi has asked that a cheap food scheme be rolled out across the country and a Kabul court has ordered the early release of three people convicted over the torture of a child bride, who was burned, beaten and had her fingernails pulled out by her husband and in-laws after she refused to become a prostitute.

The Turkish courts originally barred the parents from calling their daughter "Kurdistan" saying it was "an insult to society". Picture: APSource: AP

In entertainment news, former Beverly Hills 90210 star Ian Ziering says Sharknado could do for his career what Pulp Fiction did for John Travolta, Rihanna has been seen partying until dawn with Formula One star Lewis Hamilton, former Playboy Playmate of the Year Jenny McCarthy is dating one of the New Kids on the Block, Melissa Etheridge's ex is not so keen on the sex, drugs and rock 'n roll lifestyle for their six-year-old twins and wants a court to stop Etheridge taking them on tour because they will be exposed to 'boobs and marijuana', and Jane Lynch has filed for divorce from her wife of three years as two of her Glee co-stars announced their engagement.

Ian Ziering tried to get his career on track by joining the Chippendales but now says Sharknado may be his 'Pulp Fiction moment'. Picture: GettySource: Getty Images

In sport, the Aussies are chasing after England's total in the Ashes but without much help from Ed Cowan and losing 3-3 off 18 balls just before stumps, Maria Sharapova has hired Jimmy Connors as her tennis coach, David Moyes has started his coaching career with Manchester United with a shock loss and a day after MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo pulled out of the German Grand Prix with a broken collarbone, championship leader Dani Pedrosa has had a similar injury, fracturing his collarbone but is determined to race anyway.

Albasini was chasing his second stage victory of the centenary Tour and came desperately close to landing it.

Part of the history-making team trial time unit that prevailed in Nice on stage 4, Albasini looked the rider most likely to win over the closing 2km.

He caught Frenchman Julien Simon 1km from the finish and then kicked clear inside the last 400m.

Albasini led until the last 10m before Trentin gave Omega Pharma Quickstep its second win in as many days.

With tonight's monster climb to Mont Ventoux looming, the overall contenders were content to save their legs.

English fans cheer as the breakaway group passes during the fourteenth stage of the Tour de France.

After the general classification shake-up on Friday, there was an expectation the race would settle ahead of seven categorised climbs south from Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule.

And there was no reaction from Froome and Alberto Contador as German veteran Jens Voigt (Radioshack-Leopard), Lars Bak (Lotto Belisol) and Blel Kadri (Ag2r-La Mondiale) tore out of the start zone in the day's first breakaway.

Averaging more than 50kmh, the trio was joined by Frenchmen Christophe Le Mevel (Cofidis) and Arthur Vichot (FDJr).

But the early flurry was merely a cue for a powerful group to bridge across.

Included in the 18-rider cluster were Albasini, Trentin, Garmin's David Millar and Andrew Talansky and BMC's Tejay van Garderen.

Building a lead of 1min, the escapees were led over category 4 Cote de Marcignby by Simon Geschke (Argos-Shimano).

Froome was content to roll through a hot, lumpy stage ahead of tonight's crucial climb to Mont Ventoux - the Giant of Provence.

"We head over to Mont Ventoux tomorrow which is going to be a really big test," Froome said. "It's an extremely historical climb in terms of cycling so there'll be a lot of guys going for it to try and win.

"Then we've got a rest day (Monday) and the last week in the Alps.

"The thing I'm most looking forward to in the Alps is getting them behind me – that's got to be what everyone in this position would be thinking.

"There is still everything to race for at this point; two-and-a-half minutes is nothing when you have a bad day in the mountains. I just hope to get through the Alps without any bad days and get a bit closer to Paris.

"Tomorrow's stage is a really interesting one because obviously there'll be an early breakaway that's going to go.

"We wouldn't necessarily be that interested in bringing that breakaway back; we're looking at general classification not the stage win, but other teams will want to bring it back so that they can race for the stage.

"It's going to be quite a tactical game tomorrow in the early parts of the race but once we hit the mountain it's all about who has got the legs and that part of the race is quite straight forward.

"We've still got seven really capable guys and from the outside it might look as if we've had a rough couple of days but I think, in comparison to what the other teams have had, we're doing pretty well at the moment."

All eyes are fixed on St Mary's hospital with speculation the royal baby could be born any day now.

THE wait for Kate is to go on again this week with the Duchess of Cambridge disappointing fans and the world press that had gathered in central London expecting her to be going into labour.

Yesterday was widely believed to be the day Kate would give birth to the third in line to the throne but there was no movement at Kensington Palace nor the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital where Kate is excepted to arrive ... sometime soon.

The birth has been planned meticulously by the palace, down to the minute a royal courier is to receive the certificate signed by all the doctors confirming the veracity of the birth and carry it with a police escort to Buckingham Palace to place on an ornate easel by the front gate to announce the birth to the world.

The police were ready, palace staff were prepared, Prince William has an encrypted mobile phone ready at his side to personally inform the Queen, but in the end mother nature reminded all it was still in charge. Kate is expecting to have a natural birth.

The palace has never given a formal due date for the baby but royal sources had said it was to be on the weekend.

A small crowd of locals had gathered outside the Paddington hospital as had a large contingent of media but as the mercury hit 31 degrees in central London, all retreated for nearby eateries and pubs.

That left police to largely look over the media's abandoned camera tripods and stepladders baking in the sun.

Meanwhile, while bookmakers are still taking bets on more than a dozen possible names for the royal bub, the Royal Mint is apparently taking a punt with George.

The Mint plans to recognise the eagerly awaited arrival with a new five pound coin bearing an image of St George and the dragon. The silver commemorative coin will be based on the original gold sovereign first used in 1817.

KEVIN Rudd will announce plans to scrap the carbon tax within days as he clears the decks for an election.

The decision could slash electricity bills by up to $150 a year for families spending $2000 annually, assuming a floating price for carbon emissions as low as $6 per tonne.

Federal cabinet has agreed to fast-track the planned introduction of an emissions trading scheme to July 1, 2014.

In an attempt to neutralise Tony Abbott's anti-carbon tax crusade, the Prime Minister will announce the plan to "ease cost of living pressures for families".

Carbon switch 'a con job'

Australia had previously planned to move from the current fixed-price carbon tax on the biggest polluters - much of which is passed on to consumers through higher utility prices - to an emissions trading scheme, where the price is determined by the market, by July 2015.

The planned shift from a fixed to a floating price threatens to blow a massive hole in the federal budget, costing billions of dollars a year.

The government will claim the shift is "revenue neutral", with tough spending cuts to offset reduced revenue.

The fixed price, presently $24.15 per tonne, will be replaced with a floating price of between $6 and $10 per tonne.

Abbott 'sorry' for ousted Gillard

"Economic modelling will show this will ease cost of living pressures for families and create jobs," a government source said. "This is about transitioning the economy from a post mining boom world to a more competitive agenda."

But the plans have been criticised as a "cowardly act" by the Greens and "a name-changing exercise" by the coalition.

Australian Greens leader Christine Milne slammed the move on the ABC.

"If you believed that climate change was the greatest moral challenge or our time, and it is, we are living in a climate emergency, you would now not be moving to have the big polluters pay less.

"That is what Kevin Rudd is doing. It is all about politics and not policy."

"There's still a price on the other side, there's still an impact on electricity bills on the other side," Mr Morrison said.

"This is just a change of name, it's not a change in terms of the impact on household budgets, in terms of the impact on cost of living."

Mr Rudd famously declared climate change "the greatest moral and economic challenge of our time" before scrapping plans to introduce emissions trading in 2010 after he was spooked by Tony Abbott's "great big new tax" campaign.

In another sign of an election possibly as early as August, Mr Rudd won locally controlled preselections for Labor candidates yesterday at a meeting of the ALP national executive. This including backing Julia Gillard's preferred successor in the Melbourne seat of Lalor, Joanne Ryan.

Education Minister Bill Shorten will fly to Sydney tonight to meet with Catholic schools in a bid to strike a deal for support of the Better Schools reforms.

Queensland, Victoria and WA are still to sign the deal.

Impersonators back in business

While the extra cash for Catholic schools is assured under the legislation, the Rudd government is keen to get their official blessing.

"Catholic schools have served some of the most disadvantaged communities in this country for more than 150 years," Mr Shorten said.

Mr Abbott last night described the carbon tax change as a deception. "Mr Rudd can change the name but, whether it is fixed or floating, it is still a carbon tax," he said. "It is still a tax on electricity bills which will still hurt families and still hurt local families.

"Nothing has changed today for Australian families. The carbon tax they paid yesterday, they are still paying today.

"All Mr Rudd has confirmed is that this election he will still be campaigning for a carbon tax, while the Coalition will be campaigning to scrap the carbon tax, lock, stock and barrel.

"This is just an election trick from the Prime Minister who has always wanted families to pay the carbon tax."

George Zimmerman not guilty in the shooting of black teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida. Paul Chapman reports.

NEIGHBOURHOOD watch volunteer George Zimmerman has been cleared of all charges in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager whose killing in Florida unleashed furious debate across the US over racial profiling, self-defence and equal justice.

Zimmerman, 29, blinked and barely smiled when the verdict was announced.

He could have been convicted of second-degree murder or manslaughter. But the jury of six women, all but one of them white, reached a verdict of not guilty.

Martin's mother and father were not in the courtroom when the verdict was read; supporters of his family who had gathered outside yelled "No! No!'' upon learning of the not-guilty verdict.

Trayvon Martin's brother, Jahvaris Fulton, said simply: "Et tu America?'' - a reference to the Latin phrase "Et tu, Brute?'' known as an expression of betrayal.

Beyonce pays tribute to Trayvon Martin

The jurors considered nearly three weeks of often wildly conflicting testimony over who was the aggressor on the rainy night the 17-year-old was shot while walking through the gated townhouse community where he was staying and where Zimmerman lived. None of the witnesses who were called had a clear view of their encounter.

Defence attorneys said the case was classic self-defense, claiming Martin knocked Zimmerman down and was slamming the older man's head against the concrete sidewalk when Zimmerman fired his gun.

"We're ecstatic with the results,'' defence attorney Mark O'Mara after the verdict. "George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in self-defense.''

Another member of his defense team, Don West, said he was "thrilled this jury kept this tragedy from becoming a travesty.''

Prosecutors called Zimmerman a liar and portrayed him was a "wannabe cop'' vigilante who had grown frustrated by break-ins in his neighborhood committed primarily by young black men. Zimmerman assumed Martin was up to no good and took the law into his own hands, prosecutors said.

George Zimmerman, right, is congratulated by his legal team after being found not guilty. (AP Photo/Gary W. Green, Pool)Source: AP

State Attorney Angela Corey said after the verdict that she believed second-degree murder was the appropriate charge because Zimmerman's mindset "fit the bill of second-degree murder.''

"We charged what we believed we could prove,'' Corey said.

The jurors' names have not been made public, and they declined to speak to the news media.

As the verdict drew near, police and city leaders in the Orlando suburb of Sanford and other parts of Florida said they were taking precautions against the possibility of mass protests or unrest in the event of an acquittal.

Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump acknowledged the disappointment of Trayvon Martin's supporters, ranking the teen alongside civil rights heroes Medgar Evers and Emmett Till in the history of the fight for equal justice.

But he urged them not to resort to violence. "For Trayvon to rest in peace, we must all be peaceful,'' he said.

O'Mara, Zimmerman's attorney, said his client is aware he has to be cautious and protective of his safety.

"There still is a fringe element that wants revenge,'' O'Mara said. "They won't listen to a verdict of not guilty.''

The verdict came a year and a half after civil rights protesters angrily demanded Zimmerman be prosecuted. That anger appeared to return Saturday night outside the courthouse, at least for some who had been following the case.

Rosie Barron, 50, and Andrew Perkins, 55, both black residents of Sanford, stood in the parking lot of the courthouse and wept.

"I at least thought he was going to get something, something,'' Barron said.

Added her brother: "How the hell did they find him not guilty?''

Perkins was so upset he was shaking. "He killed somebody and got away with murder,'' Perkins shouted, looking in the direction of the courthouse. ``He ain't getting no probation or nothing.''

Issuing a statement from New York, civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton called the not-guilty verdict "a slap in the face to the American people but it is only the first round in the pursuit of justice.''

"We intend to ask the Department of Justice to move forward as they did in the Rodney King case and we will closely monitor the civil case against Mr. Zimmerman,'' Sharpton said, adding that he will travel to Florida in the next few days.

Several Zimmerman supporters also were outside the courthouse, including a brother and sister quietly rejoicing that Zimmerman was acquitted. Both thought the jury made the right decision in finding Zimmerman not guilty - they felt that Zimmerman killed Martin in self-defense.

Lenzen and Bay - who are white - called the entire case "a tragedy,'' especially for Zimmerman.

"It's a tragedy that he's going to suffer for the rest of his life,'' Bay said. ``No one wins either way. This is going to be a recurring nightmare in his mind every night.''

Meanwhile, authorities in Martin's hometown of Miami said the streets were quiet, with no indication of problems. The neighborhood where Martin's father lives in Miami Gardens was equally quiet.

Zimmerman wasn't arrested for 44 days after the February 26, 2012, shooting as police in Sanford insisted that Florida's Stand Your Ground law on self-defense prohibited them from bringing charges. Florida gives people wide latitude to use deadly force if they fear death or bodily harm.

Martin's parents, along with civil rights leaders such as Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, argued that Zimmerman - who identifies himself as Hispanic - had racially profiled their son. And they accused investigators of dragging their feet because Martin was a black teenager.

Before a special prosecutor assigned to the case ordered Zimmerman's arrest, thousands of protesters gathered in Sanford, Miami, New York and elsewhere, many wearing hoodies like the one Martin had on the night he died. They also carried Skittles and a can of iced tea, items Martin had in his pocket. President Barack Obama weighed in, saying that if he had a son, "he'd look like Trayvon.''

Despite the racially charged nature of the case, race was barely mentioned at the trial.

"This case has never been about race or the right to bear arms,'' Corey said. "We believe this case all along was about boundaries, and George Zimmerman exceeded those boundaries.''

One of the few mentions of race came from witness Rachel Jeantel, the Miami teen who was talking to Martin by phone moments before he was shot. She testified that he described being followed by a "creepy-ass cracker'' as he walked through the neighborhood.

Jeantel gave some of the trial's most riveting testimony. She said she overheard Martin demand, "What are you following me for?'' and then yell, "Get off! Get off!'' before his cellphone went dead.

The jurors had to sort out clashing testimony from 56 witnesses in all, including police, neighbors, friends and family members.

For example, witnesses who got fleeting glimpses of the fight in the darkness gave differing accounts of who was on top. And Martin's parents and Zimmerman's parents both claimed that the person heard screaming for help in the background of a neighbor's police call was their son. Numerous other relatives and friends weighed in, too, as the recording was played over and over in court. Zimmerman had cuts and scrapes on his face and the back of his head, but prosecutors suggested the injuries were not serious.

To secure a second-degree murder conviction, prosecutors had to convince the jury that Zimmerman acted with a ``depraved'' state of mind - that is, with ill will, hatred or spite. Prosecutors said he demonstrated that when he muttered, ``F------ punks. These a-------. They always get away'' during a call to police as he watched Martin walk through his neighborhood.

To win a manslaughter conviction, prosecutors had to convince the jury only that Zimmerman killed without lawful justification.

Vancouver Police hold a press conference on the sudden death of Glee actor Cory Monteith.

GLEE star Cory Monteith has been found dead in a Vancouver hotel room, Canadian police have confirmed.

The 31-year-old actor, who played Finn in the popular TV series, reportedly died of a drug overdose.

Cory Monteith with Glee co-star and fiancee Lea Michele during filming of the show in Central Park.

Monteith, who had been battling substance abuse and had a stint in rehab in April, checked into the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel on July 6.

The Canadian actor, who was engaged to his Glee co-star Lea Michele, was due to leave the hotel today. Staff became concerned when he failed to check out on time. They went to his room and discovered his body at midday, local time.

Cory Monteith had long battled with substance abuse and checked himself into rehab last April.Source: AP

The star's publicist said: "We are so saddened to confirm that the reports on the death of Cory Monteith are accurate. We are in shock and mourning this tragic loss."

Glee producers Fox and 20th Century Fox Television released a statement, describing Monteith as "an exceptional person".

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic news," the statement said. "Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person. He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

Cory Monteith with girlfriend Lea Michele in January, shortly before he went into rehab.Source: AFP

"As was the case in countless homes, I watched Glee regularly with my daughters, and I know there will be shock and sadness in many households with the news of his tragic death," Acting Chief LePard said.

Vancouver Police say other people had been in Cory Monteith's hotel room earlier in the evening, but it is believed the star was alone when he died.Source: AP

The police chief said it is believed Monteith was alone when he died.

"There were others with Mr Monteith in his room earlier last night, but video and fob key entries show him returning to his room by himself in the early morning hours and we believe he was alone when he died," he said.

"When he missed his check-out time, staff went to the room at noon and found his body.

Cory Monteith on the red capet with his fellow cast members.Source: AP

"We know there will be considerable interest in this case, and we have detectives assigned to the case who attended with our Forensic Identification Unit to examine the scene, to ensure to the extent possible that there are no unanswered questions.

Stars have remembered Cory Monteith as a 'talented young man' after he was found dead in a Vancouver hotel.

"Hotel video has been secured as well as room access records. Our investigators have spoken with hotel staff, who are providing the utmost in cooperation.

"An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. The Coroner will be determining the next steps with respect to establishing cause of death, but all indications are that there was no foul play," the police chief said.

Monteith checked into rehab for substance addiction last April.

At the time, his spokesperson declined to elaborate on the nature of the star's addiction.

"He graciously asks for your respect and privacy as he takes the necessary steps towards recovery," Monteith's spokesperson said in April.

Actor Cory Monteith with Prince Harry. Monteith, 31, has been found dead in his Vancouver hotel room. Picture: TwitterSource: Supplied

News of the star's tragic death has shocked Hollywood, with celebrities taking to Twitter to vent their grief.

Dot-Marie Jones plays Coach Beiste in Glee and was also close to Monteith. She revealed she is "heartbroken" by his passing.

"Cory was not only a hell of a friend he was one amazing men that I will hold close to my heart forever… I am blessed to have worked with him and love him so much! My heart is with hid family and our whole Glee family! (sic)" she posted on her Twitter page.

Glee director Adam Shankman said the "lights in the world just grew dimmer" after hearing the news.

Kristin Chenoweth previously had a guest spot on the show and said Cory would "be loved always".

The Canadian actor and musician was candid about his long battle with substance abuse.

He entered rehab for the first time at age 19 and two years ago broke his silence in a bid to help others sharing his struggle.

"I'm not Finn Hudson," he said, "I'm lucky to be alive."

Monteith told Parade magazine by age 16 his drug use involved "anything and everything, as much as possible."

"I was out of control… I had a serious problem," Monteith said.

"A lot of things went missing when I was around; I had high overhead to take care of."

At age 19, afraid he "could die", his mother and a group of friend staged an intervention.

"That's when I first went to rehab. I did the stint but then went back to doing exactly what I left off doing."

But, then came what Monteith called "the crystallising event."

"I stole a significant amount of money from a family member," he said.

"I knew I was going to get caught, but I was so desperate I didn't care. It was a cry for help. I was confronted and I said, 'Yeah, it was me.' It was the first honourable, truthful thing that had come out of my mouth in years."

Faced with an ultimatum, either clean-up his act or be reported to police and prosecuted, Monteith made a choice to quit taking drugs and get his life together.

"I don't want kids to think it's okay to drop out of school and get high, and they'll be famous actors, too," he said in 2011.

"But for those people who might give up: Get real about what you want and go after it."

Cory Monteith in March 2012 with Naya Rivera during the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.Source: Getty Images

Vancouver Police hold a press conference on the sudden death of Glee actor Cory Monteith.

GLEE star Cory Monteith has been found dead in a Vancouver hotel room, Canadian police have confirmed.

The 31-year-old actor, who played Finn in the popular TV series, reportedly died of a drug overdose.

Cory Monteith with Glee co-star and fiancee Lea Michele during filming of the show in Central Park.

Monteith, who had been battling substance abuse and had a stint in rehab in April, checked into the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel on July 6.

The Canadian actor, who was engaged to his Glee co-star Lea Michele, was due to leave the hotel today. Staff became concerned when he failed to check out on time. They went to his room and discovered his body at midday, local time.

Cory Monteith had long battled with substance abuse and checked himself into rehab last April.Source: AP

The star's publicist said: "We are so saddened to confirm that the reports on the death of Cory Monteith are accurate. We are in shock and mourning this tragic loss."

Glee producers Fox and 20th Century Fox Television released a statement, describing Monteith as "an exceptional person".

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic news," the statement said. "Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person. He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

Cory Monteith with girlfriend Lea Michele in January, shortly before he went into rehab.Source: AFP

"As was the case in countless homes, I watched Glee regularly with my daughters, and I know there will be shock and sadness in many households with the news of his tragic death," Acting Chief LePard said.

Vancouver Police say other people had been in Cory Monteith's hotel room earlier in the evening, but it is believed the star was alone when he died.Source: AP

The police chief said it is believed Monteith was alone when he died.

"There were others with Mr Monteith in his room earlier last night, but video and fob key entries show him returning to his room by himself in the early morning hours and we believe he was alone when he died," he said.

"When he missed his check-out time, staff went to the room at noon and found his body.

Cory Monteith on the red capet with his fellow cast members.Source: AP

"We know there will be considerable interest in this case, and we have detectives assigned to the case who attended with our Forensic Identification Unit to examine the scene, to ensure to the extent possible that there are no unanswered questions.

Stars have remembered Cory Monteith as a 'talented young man' after he was found dead in a Vancouver hotel.

"Hotel video has been secured as well as room access records. Our investigators have spoken with hotel staff, who are providing the utmost in cooperation.

"An autopsy is scheduled for Monday. The Coroner will be determining the next steps with respect to establishing cause of death, but all indications are that there was no foul play," the police chief said.

Monteith checked into rehab for substance addiction last April.

At the time, his spokesperson declined to elaborate on the nature of the star's addiction.

"He graciously asks for your respect and privacy as he takes the necessary steps towards recovery," Monteith's spokesperson said in April.

Actor Cory Monteith with Prince Harry. Monteith, 31, has been found dead in his Vancouver hotel room. Picture: TwitterSource: Supplied

News of the star's tragic death has shocked Hollywood, with celebrities taking to Twitter to vent their grief.

Dot-Marie Jones plays Coach Beiste in Glee and was also close to Monteith. She revealed she is "heartbroken" by his passing.

"Cory was not only a hell of a friend he was one amazing men that I will hold close to my heart forever… I am blessed to have worked with him and love him so much! My heart is with hid family and our whole Glee family! (sic)" she posted on her Twitter page.

Glee director Adam Shankman said the "lights in the world just grew dimmer" after hearing the news.

Kristin Chenoweth previously had a guest spot on the show and said Cory would "be loved always".

The Canadian actor and musician was candid about his long battle with substance abuse.

He entered rehab for the first time at age 19 and two years ago broke his silence in a bid to help others sharing his struggle.

"I'm not Finn Hudson," he said, "I'm lucky to be alive."

Monteith told Parade magazine by age 16 his drug use involved "anything and everything, as much as possible."

"I was out of control… I had a serious problem," Monteith said.

"A lot of things went missing when I was around; I had high overhead to take care of."

At age 19, afraid he "could die", his mother and a group of friend staged an intervention.

"That's when I first went to rehab. I did the stint but then went back to doing exactly what I left off doing."

But, then came what Monteith called "the crystallising event."

"I stole a significant amount of money from a family member," he said.

"I knew I was going to get caught, but I was so desperate I didn't care. It was a cry for help. I was confronted and I said, 'Yeah, it was me.' It was the first honourable, truthful thing that had come out of my mouth in years."

Faced with an ultimatum, either clean-up his act or be reported to police and prosecuted, Monteith made a choice to quit taking drugs and get his life together.

"I don't want kids to think it's okay to drop out of school and get high, and they'll be famous actors, too," he said in 2011.

"But for those people who might give up: Get real about what you want and go after it."

Cory Monteith in March 2012 with Naya Rivera during the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.Source: Getty Images